Slovenia Times

Economy
Interview: Janez Škrabec, President of the Alumni, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana
and Founder and Director of the Company Riko d.o.o.
I am proud that the FELU
nurses my ambitions and
Riko’s development
Janez Škrabec, President of the Alumni, Faculty of Economics, University of
Ljubljana (FELU) and Founder and Director of the Company Riko d.o.o.
explains his experience of being a FELU student and highlights the
importance of Alumni membership following the successful completion
of study. He emphasises the relationship with the Alumni club - lifetime
integration, which raises professional, personal as well as social development
skills of each member by both contributing to and benefitting from society.
TST: You finished your studies at the FELU in
1987 and for many years you have been writing
the success story of the Riko Group. What are
your feelings about FELU throughout this time?
JŠ: Enthusiasm, a vigorous and honest exchange
of ideas, great professors open to
dialogue, faith in the future of free enterprise,
entrepreneurship, business. Unforgettable
memories! I cannot stress enough how important
this formative period was and how it
began to crystallise later in life. It wasn’t just
a period of expanding and enhancing knowledge,
but also of creating and consolidating
values and relevant networks. I first fed my
corporate dreams at the faculty by connecting
with foreign associates and this nurtured my
social awareness. In fact, those were the awakening
80’s – a new era was on the move; a new
era with new ambitions.
The faculty is my closest institutional companion.
Although I left the ex-chair experience,
I still follow its scientific, research and technical
knowledge. Without it, my comprehension
of the "Eleventh school under the bridge" would
be meaningless. And I am proud that the Economics
Faculty still nurses my ambitions and
Riko’s development. The living touch, framed
by the Alumni, challenges and inspires me.
TST: As President of the FELU’s Alumni, what is
your message to its community in terms of your
experience as its exceptional role model?
JŠ: The relationship within the Alumni club
is lifetime integration during times of success
and growth, as well as in times of dilemmas
and tests that may arise. The connective tissue
is knowledge, experience, and most importantly,
ourselves as people. Affiliation to the
sister system of values flows between us, while
openness, integration and ties encourage us to
Janez Škrabec; Photo: Mediaspeed
strengthen and improve a given situation and
condition. Professional, personal as well as
social.
TST: This year the FELU celebrates its 70 th anniversary.
How do you see the faculty in the next 10
years and how can Alumni members contribute?
JŠ: High on the Shanghai charts. Even more
connected to the world and the major international
centres. A fluid and desirable study
destination for foreign students and an appreciated
starting point for Slovenian students
who are then guided to continue their studies
in an international environment. This is not
a prophecy but a forecast based on real diagnosis.
Alumni membership has always been a
bond and a herald of the qualities of the faculty
and its perspective for the future; an encourager
and developer.
TST: How would you describe today’s business
trends and how do FELU Alumni members cocreate
this in Slovenia?
JŠ: I would rather leave that to better analysts
than me! As an entrepreneur, I am clearly dedicated
to Riko and its development. I can state
though, that what I am trying to optimise at
Riko is the state of internationalisation and
the state of the entrepreneurial spirit. The Slovenian
economy surely needs this too.
TST: How did you come up with the motto: "Expect
nothing, blame no one, do something"?
JŠ: Simple! - It’s a convincing reflection of my
entrepreneurial spirit and business attitude.
Summer Edition 2016 | The Slovenian Times
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